Firearm Sling

ABSTRACT

A device for a firearm includes a first part and a second part. The first part is configured to removably connect a portion of the firearm between the rear of the firearm and the muzzle of the firearm to a first location on a body of an individual. The first part includes at least one biasing member configured to bias the firearm toward the first location. The second part is configured to removably connect a portion of the firearm near the rear of the firearm to a second location on the body of the individual, the second location being laterally offset relative to the first location

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/014,413, filed Jun. 19, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The present application generally relates to slings that attach firearms, and more particularly, a sling that manage recoil, stabilizes the weapon and allows for transition between different shooting positions.

BACKGROUND

Firearm slings allow an individual to hold and carry a firearm. One type of sling may be a quick sling that includes a simple strap that an individual can wrap around his arm to hold and support the firearm. Another type of sling may include a rigid support that anchors a part of the firearm to an individual's body. Yet another type of sling may include a flexible support such as a strap to anchor a part of the firearm to an individual's body. However, none of the noted slings support, stabilize and provide control of a firearm when carrying, holding, or holding the firearm in different positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a first portion of a sling system according to one embodiment showing relevant connection regions on the body of a user.

FIG. 2 is another diagram of the portion of the sling system of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams of a device for attaching another portion of the sling system of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment to a buttstock of a firearm.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a second portion of the sling system of FIG. 1 showing a relevant connection region on the body of a user.

FIG. 5 is another diagram of the second portion the sling system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a sling system according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a sling system according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a sling system according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a harness for use with a sling system according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of a harness for use with a sling system according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a sling system 100 includes a first part 102 and a second part 104. The first part 102 has a first end portion 102A and a second end portion 102B. The second part 104 has a first end portion 104A and a second end portion 104B. The first end portions 102A of the first part 102 can be connected to the body 106 of the firearm 108. The first end portion 104A of the second part can be connected to the buttstock 109 of the firearm 108. As described in detail below, the second end portion 102B of the first part 102 and the second end portion 104B of the second part 104 can be connected to respective locations on a user's body (i.e., an individual using the firearm, a shooter, etc.). A firearm may refer to any type of weapon by which an object or projectile is launched to strike a target, such as a rifle, pistol, bow, compound bow, crossbow, grenade launcher, small rocket launcher, etc.)

The second end portion 102B of the first part 102 can be connected to one of two locations on a user's body, which may be in the right body connection region 110R and the left body connection region 110L. The right body connection region 110R is around the right side of the torso of the user (i.e., offset toward the right from the center region of the torso) and may extend from the shoulder region of the user to a waist region of a user. The left body connection region 110L is around the left side of the torso of the user (i.e., offset toward the left from the center region of the torso) and may extend from the shoulder region of the user to a waist region of a user. The second end portion 104B of the second part 104 can be connected to a location on the user's body in a center body connection region 110C. The center body connection region 110C is around a center region of the torso of the user and may extend from the neck of the user to the waist region of the user. The body connection regions 110R, 110L and 110C can be defined on a dedicated worn item such as a jacket or by using parts that attach to a worn item on the user's body (e.g. vest, harness, body armor, etc.). Each of the body connection regions 110R, 110L and 110C may have multiple connection locations for connecting the second end portions 102B and 104B.

The second end portions 102B and 104B may be connected to locations in the body connection regions 110L and 110C, respectively, for a right handed user. Alternatively, the second end portions 102B and 104B may be connected to locations in the body connection regions 110L and 110C, respectively, for a left handed user. Thus, the second end portion 102B may be connected to either a location in the right body connection region 110R or a location in the left body connection region 110L, while the second end portion 104B can be connected to a location in the center body connection region 110C. A user may also use a firearm both in a right handed hold and a left handed hold. A right handed user may use a right handed hold, which is his strong side shooting position, but easily switch to a left handed hold, which may be his weak side shooting position. Similarly, a left handed user may use a left handed hold, which is his strong side shooting position, but easily switch to a right handed hold, which may be his weak side shooting position. Accordingly, a user may require only two locations in two of the connection regions for using the sling system 100 depending on the handedness of the user and/or preferences of the user for attaching the sling system 100 to a worn item.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first end portion 102A of the first part 102 can be connected to the rifle or firearm by various methods. A strap that goes through and around a sling loop 130, which is common on most firearms, can be used. A retainer 131 can be used to hold the strap in place (such as a tri-glide, clamp, buttons, Velcro®, etc.). Other common rail mounting hardware (such as quick detach swivel, dove tail mounts) that are used to connect slings to railing systems can be used. An optional part 132, which connects to a point between the front and rear of the firearm can also be used. The part 132 may act as a pivot point along the first part 102 for long firearms. The pivot point created by part 132 transfers the force of the biasing member 112 away from the front of the firearm (or where first end portion 102A is connected at 130) to part 132, which can be set closer to the user's support hand, which assists with the bone on bone contact on the support arm. The first end portion 102A can be inserted or slid through the part 132 by various methods. FIG. 3A shows an example of details of part 132, which includes a strap 140 with a D-ring 141 as an anchor point so the strap 140 can be easily tightened around the firearm 108, with a piece of Velcro® 142 that when matched with its opposite 143 secures the strap 140 in place. Alternatively as shown in FIG. 3B, part 132 can also be made with another D-ring 144 that is attached to strap 108 by webbing, or simply run through the webbing 140, that is large enough to receive the first end portion 102A through the D-ring 144. Alternatively, the D-ring 144 can be attached to common attachment hardware for firearm rails such as quick detach mounts or dovetail mounts.

According to one embodiment, each of the second end portions 102B and 104B may be a piece of webbing that can be wrapped around loops on the connection points of the harness 200 and secured using hardware (tri-glide, snap buttons, clamps, Velcro®, etc.) Alternatively, other hardware can be used to secure the second end portions 102B and 104B to the wearer such as clips, carabineers, buckles, Velcro®, etc. depending on what the user is wearing (vest with loops, armor, etc.)

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the first end portion 104A of the second part 104 can be connected to the end of a firearm using any type of strap fastening method. For example, a piece of webbing can be used that wraps around the sling loop that is common on the buttstocks of many firearms and held in place by hardware 124 (such as a tri-glide), similar to the above-described methods and components by which the first end portion 102A is attached to the front end of a firearm. The first end portion 104A can also be a piece of webbing 151 that wraps around the end of the buttstock and secured in place with hardware 152 such as buckles, D-rings, snap buttons, cam locks, Velcro®, with at least one other piece of webbing 153 that wraps around the buttstock and the webbing 151 on both sides of the buttstock. The strap 153 keeps the strap 151 from sliding down the length of the buttstock 109. The strap 153 can also serve as the anchor point for the movement of the first end portion 104A. the second end portion 104B can connected to a user by using the methods and parts described herein with respect to connection of the second end portion 102B to the user.

The first part 102 may include at least one biasing member 112 that provides at least on direction of tension for biasing the firearm 108 toward the body of a user. The biasing member 112 may be partly or fully constructed from a spring, an elastomer, rubber and/or any type of elastic material. Thus, one of the functions of the first part 102 is to keep the firearm close to the body of the user. The second part 104 functions as a tether or anchor and limits the movement of the buttstock 109 of the firearm 108 relative the center body connection region 110C. Thus, the center body connection region 110C may be also referenced herein as the center anchor region 110C.

The first part 102 and the second part 104 can be used individually or in combination. When the first part 102 and the second part 104 are combined, the second part 104 and the first part 102 limit the movement of the firearm, which allows the user to easily attain the same cheek position which assists accuracy, help stability while aiming, control recoil, assist with target acquisition and reacquisition, and assist with weapons control and handling. Because the center anchor region 110C is around the center of the user's body, a user can transition between strong side and weak side shooting positions easily and without adjustment or disconnecting any portion of the sling system 100 from his body or his rifle since the user can use the elastic nature of the biasing member 112 to create enough slack in the first part 102 to allow the user to transition from strong side to weak side. Another alternative is for the user to quickly disconnect the second end portion 102B from a location in the right body connection region 110R and connect the second end portion 102B to a location in the left body connection region 110L, while the second end portion 104B remains connected to a location in the center anchor region 110C. Similarly, the user can for example quickly disconnect the second end portion 102B from a location in the left body connection region 110L and connect the second end portion 102B to a location in the right body connection region 110R, while the second end portion 104B maintains connected to the center anchor region 110C.

The second part 104 may pivot on at least one point for ease of movement. For example, the second part 104 may pivot at the first end portion 104A, the second end portion 104B and/or a pivot point 104C along the length of the second part 104 where multiple segments may be connected to form the second part 104. The second part 104 may include at least one segment having an adjustable length and/or having a length that is adjustable by adding or removing segments. The second part 104 may include more than two segments for length adjustment. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the second part 104 may include a first segment 120 and a second segment 122. The second segment 122 may be connected to the first segment 120 to increase the length of the second part 104. Thus, the first segment 120 may be connected to the buttstock 109 and the second segment 122 may be connected to a location in the center body connection region 110C. Alternatively, the second part 104 may be used only with the first segment 120. Accordingly, the first segment 120 may be define the second part 104 such that the first end portion 104A is connected to the buttstock 109 and the second end portion 104B is connected to a location in the center body connection region 110C. The overall length of the second part 104 may limit the distance the buttstock 109 can travel relative to the attachment location 110C on the user's body, while allowing 360 degrees of rotation relative to the user's body to accommodate various shooting positions (i.e. standing, kneeling, side, prone, or supine). For example, using only the segment 120 limits the distance the buttstock 109 can travel relative to the attachment location 110C more than if both segments 120 and 122 are used. The segment 120 limiting the distance of the buttstock 109 relative to the user's body can help control the position of the buttstock, control recoil, and counter the tendency of recoil to move a firearm's buttstock out of position. For example, the length of the second part 104 may be adjusted so as to reduce the possibility of the buttstock 109 slipping outward and releasing from the shoulder of a user when firing the firearm regardless of his shooting position (i.e. standing, kneeling, sitting, prone, supine, or side). The length of the second part 104 may also be adjustable by any type of length adjustment mechanism instead of having multiple segments. For example, the second part 104 may be a strap with a length adjustment buckle 124 by which the length of the strap can be adjusted.

The first part 102 includes a biasing member 112 that provides tension between the firearm 108 and the user. The tension of the biasing member 112 may be adjustable through various methods (e.g. changing the length of biasing member 112, replacing the biasing member with another biasing member having a larger or smaller biasing force, clamps, adding additional biasing members, etc.). The overall length of the first part 102 and/or the biasing member 112 may also be adjustable with a strap and buckle 126. Adjusting the length of the first part 102 may also change the tension in the biasing member 112. The first part 102 provides at least one direction of tension between the firearm 108 and the user. Maintaining tension between the user and the firearm can help the user better anticipate the movement of the firearm and thereby control the firearm. For example, when a user is walking, running or in movement, the tension provided by the biasing member 112 limits or prevents excessive movement of the firearm 108 (i.e., the firearm 108 flopping around), thereby allowing the user to more readily and rapidly grab, hold and use the firearm 108. Because the biasing member 112 keeps the muzzle of the weapon 108 close to the anchor point (either 110R or 110L) it keeps the weapon at an angle and can prevent the muzzle from pointing straight down, which is a common occurrence in single point slings and traditional two point slings when there is no positive control over the weapon by the user. The preventing the muzzle from pointing down can help avoid a common injury, which happens when the muzzle of the weapon hits the ground and sends the buttstock of the weapon into the user's chin or face. This happens when the user does not have positive control of their weapon because they are handling equipment, accessing pouches, or using a secondary weapon (such as a pistol or shotgun) and are transition from a upright position (standing, jogging, sprinting) to a kneeling or sitting position (to take cover or concealment).

When the user goes to a kneeling or sitting shooting position, the first part 102 also provides biasing forces between the user and the firearm 108 while in a shooting position. The biasing force during shooting helps stabilize the firearm and/or reduce vibration, twitching, and/or movement of the firearm so as to improve aiming. For example, a shooter can stabilize the firearm by using the tensioning force of the biasing member 112 depending on the position of the shooter's support arm. The shooter can pull his support hand toward the middle of the firearm and enhance bone on bone support while at the same time relaxing muscles, which affect aim stability. Alternatively, the user can extend his support hand toward the front of the firearm where the tension forces allow the user to engage large muscle groups which are better at controlling the firearm. The tension of the first part 102 due to the biasing force can also provide a counter-force against muzzle rise, which helps to make target reacquisition faster. This tension can support and stabilize the firearm regardless of shooting position. When a user is finished shooting, the tension in the biasing member 112 pulls the firearm 108 toward the one of the connection regions 110R or 110L. Accordingly, the firearm 108 is moved back to a stable and/or stowed position against the user's body for enhanced mobility of the user as described in detail herein.

The firearm sling system 100 may include a worn part such as a harness, vest, one or more articles of clothing, plate carrier, etc. The first part 102 and the second part 104 can connect to a worn part at a minimum of two locations such as two locations in the body connection regions 110R or 110L and 110C between the wearer and the firearm as described herein. At least one point of connection may be near the center portion of the user's chest as described herein, such as a location in the center body connection region 110C and another point may be on the user's body, such as a location in the body connection region 110R or 110L. According to one example, one point may be near the center of the user's chest, such as a location in the body connection region 110C and the second point may be near the side of the user's body such as around, above, below or over the shoulder of the user, such as a location in the body connection region 110R or 110L. Thus, the firearm sling system 100 may include all of the necessary parts for a user so that a user is not required to have a separate worn part or item of clothing for use with the first part 102 and the second part 106. Alternatively, the firearm sling system 100 may include the first part 102 and the second part 104 for use with a user's existing worn part or item of clothing. For example, a user may already have a harness or vest, to which the first part 102 and the second part 104 can be connected. The first part 102 and the second part 104 may include various clips, buckles, straps and/or similar parts for connecting the first part 102 and the second part 104 to a user's worn item or an article of clothing. Thus, the first part 102 and the second part 104 may be connectable to any worn item or item of clothing.

FIGS. 7 shows a third part 300 that can be made from any material (elastic, webbing, fabric, non-elastic, etc.) that connects part 102 and 104 of the firearm sling system 100 so that it can be used as a traditional sling if the user so chooses. In the example of FIG. 7, the second part 300 is attached to the first segment 120 of the second part 104. The length of part 300 can also be adjusted by using a slider or biasing member, or by adding segments. FIG. 8 shows a third part 301, which is a variant of the third part 300 that allows the user to use firearm sling system 100 as a traditional sling, but can also limit the movement of the buttstock 109. The third part 301 can be made of any material (elastic, webbing, fabric, non-elastic, etc.) The third part 301 can be attached to the first part 102 and to two points 160 and 162 on the second part 104 as shown in FIG. 8. The movement of the buttstock 109 is limited by the second section 304 of the third part 301, which goes under the user's armpit. The two attachment points on the second part 104 can be anywhere on the second part 104 as long as it allows the first section 303 of the second part 301 to go over the user's shoulder and the second section 304 to go below the user's shoulder. The first section 303 keeps the firearm from slipping down the user's body. With the second section 304 being positioned under the user's armpit when the user brings his upper arm down and against his side, the friction of his arm and side against the second section 304 limits the travel of the buttstock 109 and the firearm 108. Because the firearm movement is limited, the biasing member 112 of the first part 102 can then be used to stabilize aim as discussed. The third part 301 can be a continuous one-piece part (i.e., sections 303 and 304 are a continuous one-piece part) and may include a sliding mechanism 302 that slides along a portion or the entire length of the third part 301. Alternatively, the sections 303 and 304 can be separate pieces that attach individually to the first part 102. The overall length or each piece of the third part 301 can be adjustable by using various adjusting mechanisms and hardware (for example, glides), by using biasing members, or by adding or subtracting segments.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a harness 200 that may be part of the firearm sling system 100. The harness 200 may include the connection locations 130R, 130L and 130C in connection regions 110R, 110L and 110C. As shown in FIG. 10, the harness 200 may include multiple connection points 130R and 130L in the connection regions 110R and 110L to allow an individual to choose a preferred connection point in the connection regions 110R and 110L. Alternatively, the harness 200 may be a separate harness to which a user can attach the first part 102 and the second part 104.

The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be implemented in a variety of embodiments, and the foregoing description of some of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments. Instead, the description of the drawings, and the drawings themselves, disclose at least one embodiment, and may disclosure alternative embodiments.

Although certain example apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this disclosure is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this disclosure covers all apparatus, methods, and articles of articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for a firearm comprising: a first part configured to removably connect a portion of the firearm between the rear of the firearm and the muzzle of the firearm to a first location on a body of an individual, the first part comprising at least one biasing member configured to bias the firearm toward the first location; and a second part configured to removably connect a portion of the firearm near the rear of the firearm to a second location on the body of the individual, the second location being laterally offset relative to the first location.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the length of the first part is adjustable.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the length of the second part is adjustable.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the biasing force of the first part is adjustable.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the first part pivots relative to at least the individual or the firearm.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein the second part pivots relative to at least the individual or the firearm.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the first location and the second location are defined by attachment points located on an item worn by the individual.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the first location is near the ride side of the torso or the left side of the torso of the individual.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the second location is near the center of the torso of the individual.
 10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a third part configured to removably connect the first part to the second part.
 11. A system for a firearm comprising: a body attachment part configured to be worn by an individual; a first part configured to removably connect a portion of the firearm between the rear of the firearm and the muzzle of the firearm to a first location on the body of the individual, the first part comprising at least one biasing member configured to bias the firearm toward the first location; and a second part configured to removably connect a portion of the firearm near the rear of the firearm to a second location on the body of the individual, the second location being laterally offset relative to the first location.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the length of the first part is adjustable.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the length of the second part is adjustable.
 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the biasing force of the first part is adjustable.
 15. The system of claim 11, wherein the first part pivots relative to at least the individual or the firearm.
 16. The system of claim 11 wherein the second part pivots relative to at least the individual or the firearm.
 17. The system of claim 11, wherein the first location is near the ride side of the torso or the left side of the torso of the individual.
 18. The system of claim 11, wherein the second location is near the center of the torso of the individual.
 19. The system of claim 11, further comprising a third part configured to removably connect the first part to the second part.
 20. A system for a firearm comprising: a first part configured to removably connect a portion of the firearm between the rear of the firearm and the muzzle of the firearm to a first location on the body of the individual near the ride side of the torso or the left side of the torso of the individual, the first part comprising at least one biasing member configured to bias the firearm toward the first location; a second part configured to removably connect a portion of the firearm near the rear of the firearm to a second location on the body of the individual near the center of the torso of the individual; and a third part configured to removably connect the first part to the second part when the first part and the second part are not removably connected to the body of the individual. 